Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Overcoming Hunger and Poverty as a Source of Insecurity and Conflict
Convener: Alice Kagoda, Uganda

Rural Infrastructure, Agricultural Development and Poverty in Assam: An Exploratory Study
Keshav C. Das, Non-member, India

The present paper examines intra-state disparities in rural infrastructure in Assam and their impact on agricultural development and rural poverty through a cross sectional study of 20 major districts of Assam, India. The techniques of principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been used to prepare the composite index of infrastructure development. The analysis reveals that extreme disparities continue to persist with respect to the availability of economic and social indicators in rural areas at state level. Correlation and multiple regression analysis have been used to study the relationship between rural infrastructure and agricultural development and rural poverty. In the study 16 indicators were identified as more vital. The analysis provides a strong justification for recent policy initiatives of the Indian Government for improving rural infrastructure. A healthy public and private partnership needs to be encouraged in building up and managing rural infrastructure to meet the challenges of globalization with a view to improve the competitiveness of agriculture and contribute to the promotion of diversified and export oriented agriculture. Particular attention needs to be paid to the poor and backward districts of the state for more balanced regional development with equity and social justices. This calls for increased investment in rural infrastructure by both the public and private sectors.

Shri Keshav Charan Das, who is an Assistant Professor in the Amity School of Rural Management at Amity University, Utttar Pradesh, India, holds a Masters Degree in Rural Development & Agricultural Production and is completing a PhD on the 'Strategies for Infrastructral Development’.